When you’re starting to learn about hydroponics, it’s only natural that you first get exposed to some terminology that’s a little bit overwhelming.
pH levels can be an area that people get confused about. While it may sound complicated, it is a fairly simple concept.
You really can keep pH fairly stable in a hydroponic system – you just have to supply enough water, water treatment methods, understand how nutrient concentrations affect pH levels, and become familiar with the pH levels that favor plant growth and production.
Once you understand what pH levels are, it is easy to understand that they do not stay stable on their own.
So many factors can influence it.
It does take work, but understanding some basic principles makes this fairly feasible.
What is pH?
Amazing, first off, there’s this whole scale that goes from 0 to 14.
Each type of liquid has its own reading on that scale.
So, tap water will have different pH levels based on where you get it.
Since the pH of your tap water is likely different than the pH in your system, it’s probably best not to use tap water if necessary.
- A pH of zero represents an acidic nature, while a pH of 15 signifies an alkaline substance.
- Most living organisms are usually somewhere in the middle at around 7, which is generally a good starting place for most plants, as it also represents a good pH level for the body.
- Generally speaking, plants will do well in a pH range of about 5.5 to 6.5. Of course, other plants prefer the pH to be around 8.
When there are pH levels in your system that are favorable to the plants, they uptake required nutrients through their root systems.
In addition, you will see an improvement in rapid plant growth because they are uptake potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous.
Please be aware: You must be careful when applying pH level treatments because as you get to either end of pH the liquids will burn.
Why is pH So Important?
If your plants have a pH level that falls out of the desired range, they will not absorb the necessary nutrients necessary for growth.
Each mineral has its own pH tolerances.
In most cases, plants require a higher macronutrient levels. If the pH is too high, or too low, the macronutrients will become immobile.
This means the utilization of a nutrient becomes limited, and your plants will be deficient in that nutrient.
Micronutrients are only needed in small amounts. They are also affected within the pH scale.
Because they are soluble, a pH that is low, means they will absorb too much, or too high, there will be a deficiency.
Properly Setting up Your Hydroponic System
At this point, you know what pH is and why it’s important to the successful operation of the hydroponic system, you will now test the pH levels of the system and prepare it to run before the plants go in.
Even if you still researching, this will still help you because the pH test is not a just one-time thing.
At first, until you understand how your system works, you will be pH testing every day.
There are a couple of ways you can do this – litmus strips or hydroponic pH pens. Once you get your pH levels, you will either increase or decrease your pH.
Litmus Strip
This is the fastest, simplest way to determine the pH of your hydroponic system.
And do not fully rely on them. These are paper strips with dye on them that will react with whatever liquid they come into contact with.
First, find a clean sterile container and add a sample of your water to it. Then, dip a litmus strip in it and wait for a color change to occur.
Once it changes, compare it to the chart that comes with it.
Some of the colors are very similar, so guessing is not a good idea.
Be aware: many plants a slight difference doesn’t matter, but some plants, a 1/2 reading in either direction could greatly affect health.
Hydroponic pH Pens
Regrettably, this is also the most costly option and the most dependable one.
Certainly, because it is a digital reading, the cost may be justified.
After all, when you have a digital reading, how many shades could there be in a slight variation in colors?
One of the most typical hydroponics pH pens is a digital pen. You take a sample of the water in a sterile container and dip the pen’s nib into the water.
This pen will give you an accurate reading of the pH of your water.
The downside of this type of reading is that the readings will begin to fluctuate over time and you will need to calibrate the pen.
Treating Water and Balancing pH Levels
Since you have reviewed what is needed to conduct a nutrient solution test now we will look into how the different systems can have different pH levels.
The easiest scenario is the Nutrient Film Techniques (NFT), in which this solution comes into direct contact with your plants’ root systems.
In a system that utilizes a grow bed, you will take 2 readings:
- one from the nutrient reservoir
- and the other from the chemical runoff
This is important because you will get two different readings before the solution touches the roots.
If you are working with smaller plants, the difference will not be significant, but with larger plants, then it will be noticeably different.
When you adjust the pH levels of the nutrient solution, it needs to be adjusted based on the readings that you got from the reservoir.
Here’s why: because the roots are facing the pH of the reservoir and not the runoff.
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining pH balance within your hydroponic system is vital to having healthy and vigorous plants that are productive.
As you start your hydroponic system, I suggest testing every day (until you really get a feel for your system) and then drop to testing 2 to 3 times a week.
If your pH is around 5.8 – 6.5 you shouldn’t have to change anything because that is a great range for most plants.
If the pH is too high, you need to come down; if it’s too low, you need to go higher.
Lastly, make sure you are documenting your tests and the results. This will help you understand the process.
You don’t want to give too much to your plants, so just make sure you fill or check your original reading with a fully full tank, as when you compare the results.
Once you can understand the plant needs and how to tweak to those levels, you will see fantastic crops in the end.